damned_institute | Day 29: Cafeteria, Brunch

Heiji was all smiles again as Okita sat down--thrilled to see the swordsman again and in much better spirits, apparently. However, he couldn't help but look slightly embarrassed as Okita looked at the wheelchair. Making such a stupid mistake...

"Yeah, totally! I've been starved since last night! Didn't get a chance to eat what they gave us on the bus. I was, uh, not in the mood, y'know," Heiji gave Okita a knowing smile.

"But yeah, uh, I'm okay," He took a fork to his rice. It felt really, really weird to eat rice like this. "I look pretty bad, and it kinda hurts to swallow, but I'll live. Takes more'n that to kill me!" He grinned.

Okita only laughed when Heiji reminded him of the results of their sparring match and began separating out the food on his tray into edible and inedible things. He neatly compartmentalized anything that looked too terribly foreign and kept the rice and fruit off to the side. The amount of meat this place shoved down the patients' throats couldn't be good for them. Not that Heiji seemed to mind.

Taking a small bite of rice and relishing the relatively plain taste, he realized how much he'd missed plain food. He hadn't eaten much since coming to this place merely because the flavors and amount of grease had upset his palette terribly.

Resting his elbow on the table, Okita rested his cheek against his fist and sighed. "It was such a nice day and then all that rubbish had to happen."

Okita didn't feel like mentioning Heiji wasn't the only one injured at the moment. Laughing and even breathing was a difficulty today - the wounds that mismatched woman had given him still burned like nothing else. He wanted to judge Heiji's wounds for himself, walk around the table and inspect him, but that would probably be a little too forward. Pushing a bit of sausage away from the rest of his food, Okita began cutting bits of fruit up into smaller bites. "But in that chair, you'll have a hard time tonight, won't you?" Violet eyes slid across the table, falling onto the wheels that certainly couldn't climb stairs. "I was hoping you could come play with the rest of the History Club tonight, too."

"What, really?" Heiji seemed genuinely excited to receive an invite--especially since it involved a guy he seemed to really connect with. Since he hadn't made very many friends, only people who he'd chatted with or run around the Institute on a whim as a safety measure, Heiji could hardly contain the relief he felt.

"Nah, it won't be an issue!" He said, waving his hand as if to wave the possibility of him having difficulty navigating the hallways with broken ribs away. "Really, my nurse wheeled this thing in, and I just thought, 'No way am I being seen in one of those!' It's not even necessary, I can totally stand up!"

Heiji's excitement made Okita glad he was looking down at the moment. His smile turned thin again, glad to see that he'd found a willing recruit. He had been nearly one hundred percent certain that Heiji was going to join him, but it was always good to have verbal confirmation. Tonight was going to be a trial run of Heiji's abilities, especially under pressure.

Okita had bruised his ribs, ripped his chest open, and he could still fight. If Heiji showed the same tenacity that he had when they sparred in town, he had no doubt that Homura would approve. In Okita's mind, Heiji's grin and his dismissal of his injuries began to overlap with another familiar face and the swordsman paused. It seemed wherever he went, he couldn't help but remember.

Laughing away his thoughts, Okita continued eating and smiled at the detective. "Good, because tonight we're going to be busy. You proved yourself to me, Heiji-kun, but now it's time to impress someone else."

Homura was waiting on another appointment and Okita could see him out of the corner of his eye. The man was quickly moving into position of leader and while a part of him balked at the thought of following anyone other than Hijikata, another part wondered if this wasn't a good thing. Without someone to curb his instincts, he could severely injure the other patients and would likely have killed himself or Kenshin in his attempts to avenge his friends' future deaths. Sliding his gaze back to the boy in front of him, Okita started on his fruit. "What is that thing you're in anyway? If you can stand, why is it necessary?"

Impress someone else? Heiji didn't exactly like the sound of that. It sounded as though he'd been enlisted into some sort of army instead of accepting an invitation. His smile faltered for just a second before he could pick it back up again. He could think about this later. It wasn't as though the History Club was a branch of the yakuza or anything--once he joined he could never go back.

Heiji also wasn't too keen on being someone's lap dog--not when he'd been his own force back in Osaka. He wasn't exactly a good little soldier, neither was he ready and willing to lay down his life for a guy he hadn't even met yet. Part of it didn't sit well with him. Maybe he was better off as a wild card...

He could think about this later.

"Sounds great! Jus' lemme know where and when, and I'll show up to this little party," He continued eating, wondering what was going on inside Okita's head. What was going on inside the History Club? Gah, later Hattori. Later.

"Oh, uh," Heiji was somewhat caught off-guard when Okita asked about the chair. He thought they were past that subject. "You know these crazy biddies--something about how I'll make my injuries 'from yesterday'--" Heiji used air-quotes on that one. "--Worse. Like I haven't had worse before. I was friggin' shot before I came here!" He rolled his eyes.

Oh, he hadn't missed that little display. Heiji was less than pleased with the idea of having to prove himself to another man. If only the boy had known Okita had been testing him from the beginning. Some part of the swordsman knew his subtle manipulations wouldn't get noticed, but that didn't mean he wouldn't cover his tracks as best he could.

Okita smiled as absently as he could manage and speared another bit of fruit on the end of his fork. These utensils were certainly useful for some things even if they shouldn't be used with rice. "We haven't picked a place to gather yet, but you can come to M63 if you'd like. I have to change before I head out anyway. And don't worry, Heiji-kun, we're not a bad group of people."

It was disappointing to be back in these restricting Western clothes after feeling the freedom of his uniform again. He almost wanted to wear the kimono out and about, but he doubted that would be a smart thing to do. The staff had missed its presence in the morning, but drawing attention to it would likely get it stolen away.

It seemed Heiji had missed the point of his query, too, and Okita laughed. "I assumed it was something about that, but what is it? I've never seen one before and I can only assume it rolls?" There was a slight pause as his mind caught up with what else Heiji had said. "...you were shot?"

"I didn't say you were," Heiji said quickly, covering his own tracks. He'd have to be more careful around Okita--he wasn't the run-of-the-mill guy. But now that he'd screwed up, he'd have to come clean. "I'm just, y'know, not used to following a guy I don't even know yet. I ran my own investigations back home, hunted down my own criminals, and made my own deductions. I'm not exactly a guy who runs in a pack." He shoved his food around his plate. "Guess 'm just homesick. Sorry, I didn't mean to push all that on you."

This institute was starting to get to him. He had to snap out of it. "But yeah, I'll meet you at your room and we can go from there. I think I remember the way well enough. I haven't had a chance to map anything out."

Heiji blinked at Okita's next question, "Oh! Sorry, yeah. These things are used for people who can't or shouldn't walk by themselves. Sometimes they're used after operations, uh... women who have just given birth, people who are born unable to walk... things like that...

"Huh?" Heiji blinked again, "Oh yeah. Here," He pointed to his left shoulder. "This woman emptied out her six-shot revolver while I hid behind a table, then I attacked and she pulled a single-shot pistol on me. Hurt like a bitch," the teen grumbled.

Heiji confessed rather quickly, but it was good to see that his skills in deducing what another thought hadn't grown dull since arriving here. The swordsman merely smiled like he always did and nibbled at the bit of melon on his fork. It wasn't like he couldn't deal with independent spirits, and if he didn't take a liking to Homura, Heiji could stick with him. He did have a soft spot for young ones, after all. "It's perfectly alright. I understand being homesick and wanting to have your own agenda."

Kenshin knew that agenda all too well.

"But it's best if we find strength in numbers, don't you think?" Okita reached into his waistband, pulling out his copy of the maps Homura had given him. Holding the slips of paper between his middle and forefinger just out of sight of the nurses. He flashed it long enough that Heiji could see what it was and then quickly tucked the papers away again. "They come with handy benefits, after all. I'll make you a copy of these and have them ready for you to pick up should you come tonight."

After listening to Heiji's explanation, Okita felt the same sense of wonder he had when he first arrived here. The future was an amazing thing, even if it was a little terrifying. The idea of guns being used in regular combat, however, was more than a little disconcerting. Okita had witnessed the power of a revolver when Sakamoto Ryoma had shot his men in the legs as he escaped. To be shot in the shoulder... "Ara...that sounds like it must have been painful. Does getting shot happen often to you?"

Heiji nodded at the maps, "Y'don't have to bribe me, I'm comin'!" The detective grinned. A map was useful, sure, but not necessary to get him to come to the meeting. He was perfectly capable of making his own. Or, so he thought.

"Do I get shot often? Nah. Guns're pretty rare where I come from, but they pop up from time to time when y'deal with criminals. 'Specially desperate ones. I can usually get the criminal before they shoot me, but this time was an exception. I guess I was kinda careless, but I had no idea that chick was ambidextrous!

"Fortunately, medicine's progressed t'the point where even if y'get shot, some people can be saved before bleedin' out or whatever. That must've been what happened before I got here--'cause when I woke up," He shrugged, "No gunshot wound. I just got it," He thought for a moment, "I got here two days ago, so... not three days ago! And it's friggin' gone..." Heiji shook his head and downed some juice. "Not a clue. No idea how that happened."

"Good, good!" Okita said, laughing heartily. He ignored the pain for now, but he knew later he'd been feeling that. "I don't want you to get discouraged from playing with us. It'd be no fun without you, Heiji-kun."

Okay, so that last bit was a lie, but Heiji's presence would certainly keep Okita from going completely out of control. Or so he hoped. If he could focus his attention on training Heiji, improving his swordsmanship, then maybe he wouldn't spend so much time thinking about the Battousai. And speaking of the Battousai and these guns... "We'll work to arm you soon, so would you prefer small knives or a sword? The sword may take awhile, but I have some knives you can borrow until we obtain better supplies."

Now to think that medicine had gone that far! Sakamoto hadn't shot his men anywhere vital and still it had put them out of commission for quite a while. The fever that accompanied the bullet wounds hadn't helped the men any, either. "I believe they can do some amazing things here with their medicine, but not all of it makes sense. I'm not entirely certain it's not just magic or something."

He hadn't coughed once since coming here. No signs of the disease or any lingering effects of having his chest nearly crushed by Yoshida. If it wasn't magic, then Okita had no idea how it had all happened and he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

"Ah, really? You guys must be a really boring bunch then, 'f I'm the life of the party!" He laughed, but the last thing Okita said set off alarm bells in his head. It sounded as though he was being led like a lamb to the slaughter, or he was the main course in a dinner.

Okay, he had to calm down and think rationally. Okita wouldn't had invited someone that would fight back if the intention was just to torture, maim, or kill him. And what would be the point of that, anyway? This place was pretty screwy--who really knew?

"Oh, uh," Heiji said, snapping out of his thoughtful grin, "I've got a pipe. S'about a meter long, so that'll work until we get me a... wait, a sword? From the, uh, Cooking Club, right?" Where these people got their hands on such weapons, he had no idea. "But anyway, a sword would be best, but I could use the knives. Jus' have more training with a sword." It was true--Heiji's mom had taught him a great deal of ninjutsu and general combat technique, so he was handy with quite a few weapons.

Heiji was quickly becoming uncomfortable with the topic of medicine--mostly because it included the topic of Okita's historical death. He really shouldn't have mentioned it. "Yeah, it doesn't make a whole lotta sense, really. But I doubt it's magic--just technology!"

Okita happened to glance down when Heiji laughed, smiling to himself as he continued to eat his meal. Perhaps if he'd seen, he would have noticed the slight flash of distrust that went through the detective. With the rice mostly gone, he'd decided to be a little more adventurous and was busily picking at the french toast coated in butter and syrup. He wasn't sure what to make of the smell of cinnamon, but the taste of the syrup was just sweet enough that it held his attention. When he discovered that french toast wasn't poison in disguise, he happily began digging in. "I believe there may be others joining us tonight, too, but I haven't met them. It'll be a lovely party, don't you think?"

If Heiji already had a pipe, then that combined with the metal Okita had stashed away might be enough to get him what he needed. "Don't loose that pipe, Heiji-kun. That might be your ticket to getting armed just that little bit faster." And it would keep Okita from the disgusting mess in the bathrooms. If it was a sword the boy wanted, then it would be a sword he got. He just needed to report the matter to Homura.

Okita glanced up from his plate and tilted his head to the side. Heiji looked...at odds. Had something he said about medicine hit the wrong nerve? "Technology? Can the future heal anything with these strange machines everywhere?"

Heiji smiled as he watched Okita wolf down the french toast. The guy sure liked sweet stuff. He himself wasn't too big on it, but it was amusing nonetheless to watch.

"Yeah! I haven't met too many people either, so it should be interesting. Especially if these people are specially picked by you and, uh, the other guy." He didn't think Okita had mentioned his name... if he had, Heiji didn't remember it.

He grinned, "'Course I won't lose it! That'd be awful, considering it's my only weapon. Well, besides the closet rod. I pulled that down the first night I was here." Come to think of it, he could probably use that to get around later tonight, should he need it... "But yeah, I'll bring it, o'course."

"Eh?" Heiji looked a bit surprised. He hadn't expected Okita to stick to medicine. "Uh, no of course not! I mean, there are machines that'll keep your heart beating, but it's not really living, y'know? Kind of like living for the sake of staring at a hospital ceiling--empty," He shuddered, "It's a creepy thought."

"We aren't very big yet," Okita admitted, pushing a piece of toast around in the syrup before eating it. They used to be bigger - two members stronger - but he didn't need to bring that up. It brought back painful memories for everyone involved and that's the last thing anyone needed right now. He wondered how many members the Cooking Club or the Arts and Crafts Club had lost. Considering that the History Club went from five to three members in a little over two days, it felt like they were being targeted or something. "But hopefully we'll be growing soon~ And the leader of the pank's name is Homura - you can see him over there. There is one other and a possible new addition as of last night, but nothing has been confirmed."

Okita pointed over to where the war god sat and went back to eating. It still didn't feel right to call Homura his leader. Hijikata, Kondou and Yamanami were his leaders, his superiors and friends. Homura was...his friend and an ally, but...

He wasn't Shinsengumi.

He was fairly impressed that Heiji had managed to pull the curtain rod down. It had taken him a few tries before Okita had given up on it, going instead for the lighter and easily concealed pens instead. It was probably a good thing, considering how handy those pens had been so far. "Good, and I'll still gift you the knives should you want them. If not, I believe I may be on task to find more and we can get you your own set."

Machines that could prolong life by keeping the heart beating. Okita wondered the same as Heiji - whether it was worth it. He couldn't imagine lying in a sick bed beyond his time, staring at nothing but an empty room with maybe a hanging in the tokonoma to pass the time. It had only been a cold combined with blood getting into his mouth from when he cut Yoshida though. That had to be it, right? After all, he wasn't sick now and the doctors had just said they cured his cold so obviously he was right.

"It's so amazing to me, really. Thinking about the advances in science and medicine. Hijikata-san would be happy to know that such things existed, even if they aren't from Japan." He paused and pushed the remnants of his toast about on his plate before moving to dump the potatoes in the syrup as well. Laughing to brighten the mood, he tested his newest food and decided everything was better with the sticky maple substance on it. "I wouldn't want to end up like that, though. Stuck useless in some room, just waiting to die. Where's the fun in that?"

While Guy's conversation with Aidou hadn't reached any concrete conclusion, he wasn't too bothered about it. The main thing he needed to keep in mind was that those birds would attack him if they got half the chance, and he could go on their working theory, as strange as it seemed. Having to ask some of his friends if they were virgins would be a little awkward, but he'd been through worse.

The blond was eager to eat after all the running around he had done the night before, so he didn't waste any time in collecting a tray of breakfast food before turning to the cafeteria at large and looking for a place to sit.

When he spotted Heiji, the kid from last night, seated in a wheelchair and talking to Okita of all people, there was no question as to where he would be spending his meal. Things had gotten pretty crazy with that child he had run into last night, and he wanted to know what exactly had happened to Heiji and if he was okay.

Guy made his way over to the table where the two were sitting and remained standing as smiled down at them. "Hey."

Heiji shrugged, "S'fine with me! Sometimes a group doesn't need to be very big t'be efficient! Me 'n my friend Kudo could solve any crime--just the two of us. Of course, it's probably because I'm with 'im to set him on the right track!" He laughed. "Just kidding~ I pull my own weight just as much as he does."

At the mention of more weapons, Heiji's smile widened--if that was even possible. "Hey sure! I c'n always use knives! If you're sure you won't need them, that is. I don't wanna take something y'need..."

The boy nodded, swallowing before opening his mouth to verbally agree with Okita's point. "Exactly!" Heiji said, "I really hope I die doing something that I love doing, instead of rotting away hooked up to machines." He shook his head and took a bite of his sandwich. Of course, he didn't hope that he would be killed while chasing someone down... that would be really bad.

He looked up when he noticed Guy's presence. "Hey man!" He swallowed quickly, "Glad to see you're okay--things kinda blacked out after that whole thing with the kid. Sorry I couldn't help much. Hey, have a seat! You guys know each other after all!" Kicking out a chair, Heiji grinned at Guy, encouraging him to sit.

"I met yer roommate last night, Kaa-san. Lucky for me, this guy was there when I needed help getting back to the patient blocks. If I'd gone alone, I might not be here now~"

Heiji definitely reminded Okita of Tetsu personality wise. It made the swordsman smile as he kept eating, listening to the detective joke and talk. It was a bit of levity that he sorely needed, and a reminder of where he belonged. "If we find another set tonight, you can take them. I have my weapon of choice and the knives are only there for when I have no other option."

Like last night when that thing had ripped his sword away. He only had three, but if he could give one to Heiji, then the boy could use them as he had. It was always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with the unnatural monstrosities here. Tilting his head to the side, Okita pushed the sausage patties away and went back to his rice, the syrupy sweetness finally getting to him.

"I hope to die in battle," he said, tone as light as if he were talking about the weather. He scooped up a small mound of rice and looked at it, the faintest trace of a smile on his lips. "If I can die defending his ideals, then there is no better death."

Okita turned when he felt someone approaching and beamed when he realized it was his roommate. It was a relief to see the man doing well, considering how Okita hadn't laid eyes on him in awhile. After listening to Heiji's explanation, he nodded his head in thanks to his roommate. The man was standing as if waiting for an invitation, so Okita motioned to the chair that Heiji had kicked out and said, "Hello there, Guy-san. Please join us and thank you for finding him. I'd be quite sore if he had disappeared on me."

"I'm glad you're all right," Guy addressed Heiji as he took the offered seat and set down his tray. It wasn't like he was the one who had gotten seriously injured, after all.

"So what did that thing do you to, exactly?" he asked as he took a bite of some scrabbled eggs along with a sip of his orange juice. He was glad that he had been able to get Heiji away from the child before things had gotten worse, and morning had come at just the right time.

When it came down to it, Guy felt kind of bad that both Aidou and Heiji had been injured last night while he had gotten out of it all without any wounds, but he knew it was stupid to think that way. That was the sort of logic Luke had.

"Meh, I'm good! It takes waaay more than a kid in a mask to send me packing! I was just worried that you wouldn't be able to carry all my dead weight!"

He looked down at his food in thought, "Hmm... Y'know, I'm not really sure what it did to me. I mean, it healed the cuts you gave me, Kaneyoshi-han, and the injuries I received from the bird-thing. But at the same time, it felt like someone took a sledgehammer to my torso and then my head..." He rubbed his head instinctively, as if he could still feel the pain.

Damn! Were Allen and Rinali okay? He hadn't seen them yet...

"Hey, what happened after? I can't really remember. Did you get away okay?"

Okita listened carefully to the description of the creature that attacked Heiji and the results of the fight. A child in a mask that could crush ribs and heal injuries at the same time? Just what sort of madness was that? Picking up his tea, the swordsman sat back from the table and sipped it quietly.

He glanced over and checked Guy, glad to see the man wasn't hurt. He was walking under his own power, unlike Heiji, and didn't seem to have any visible injuries - no bandages hidden beneath clothing like Okita. It was a good thing that someone at least had escaped the night unscathed.

"You needn't use that name around him, Heiji-kun. He knows my real name," he interjected, picking up an apple slice to munch on. While it was nice hearing his old name bandied about, he didn't want Guy getting the wrong idea. He didn't lie to his roommate, he just had to be careful in public and Heiji was kind enough to lend his assistance on that matter.

So Heiji's old wounds had healed, but he'd gotten brand new ones that sounded arguably worse. It sounded like it was only a good deal if you were seriously injured before making contact, and downright bad if you weren't hurt at all. The blond made sure to take mental notes so that he could let all of his friends know. He wasn't sure how likely it was that they would run into that thing, but there was no point in taking chances.

"Yeah, I managed to start dragging you away from it, but it was following us. Morning came right around then, so I guess we got lucky." Guy shrugged and took a few more bites of his food. He didn't know how bad things might have gotten otherwise, but there was no point in worrying about it. They knew what to expect now, at least.

When Okita mentioned the name thing, Guy turned to look at him, slightly questioning. It definitely seemed like his roommate had a secret or two, and if he decided to make a comment like that, maybe he was willing to come clean about some of it now.

"Ah! Gotcha," Heiji nodded. There was no doubt in Heiji's mind that Okita was concealing his identity--but the better question was: from whom?

Bah, maybe he was thinking too much on it. Okita came from a time where the country was riddled with war and distrust. It was normal that he would be careful, being so famous and everything. Yeah, the fact that a case hadn't come up and bitten him in the ass was making him suspicious of everyone. He really needed to relax.

"Man," He said, turning an embarrassed grin towards the other man. "That probably looked really shady, huh? My bad! Jus' got kinda mixed up. This place'll do that to you easy."

The teen sighed, "I haven't solved a case in forever... things are starting to get on my nerves. Come to think of it," Heiji pointed to the intercom, "What's all this about 'visitors'? You guys know?"

Perhaps he shouldn't have said anything at all, but he really disliked the idea of these two thinking he had something to hide. He did, actually, but that wasn't the point. He watched Heiji's mind start to move and continued drinking his tea as if he wasn't watching the boy like a hawk. That sharp mind was exactly what he liked about him. He hadn't missed the look Guy gave him either, and finally set the cup down with a sigh.

"The name Okita Souji, if used in the wrong company, could get me or anyone connected to me killed," he explained. He remained silent on the fact that it was more likely that the 'wrong company' half would be the ones to die. He just hoped this vague explanation would satisfy Guy's curiosity and end any distrust that was beginning to brew among the three of them. It was the last thing he needed. "I stand for what I believe in, but not everyone thinks preserving order and peace is a good thing. The enemy is anonymous, meaning I must be cautious or the people I care for might get caught in the crossfire."

He reached out and picked up his fork, twirling it between his fingers. The smile returned and he laughed a little, "That's all. Sorry if it seemed suspicious or anything!"

But Heiji provided a good venue for escape and Okita went back to eating his food. These visitors...Okita had no idea other than what he'd seen on the bulletin board. He didn't like the sound of it, but perhaps it would be of some help to the others here. "I've heard rumors, but nothing more. People from our so-called real lives coming to say hello. Are either of you supposed to receive one?"

The fact that Okita was willing enough to give an explanation made Guy feel a whole lot better. He was still being vague, but it wasn't like they knew each other well enough for Guy to expect his roommate to come out with all the details. It was still somewhat suspicious, but Guy knew what it was like to have people after him. His name wasn't as infamous as Luke fon Fabre, for instance, but he understood what it was like by proxy.

In the end, it seemed that Okita was just trying to avoid any sort of bloodshed, and Guy could appreciate that, even if the deeper reasons behind it might not necessarily be very good. Then again, they also could be good, and he had no way of knowing either way.

"It's all right," he told Okita, looking him in the eye as he nodded. "Thanks for clearing it up." As for the question about visitors, Guy shrugged and shook his head. "I haven't heard anything about having one, so I think I dodged a bullet there." Considering his family situation, the idea of getting a visitor didn't sit well with him.

Heiji nodded throughout Okita's explanation. "Yeah, it makes sense. 'Specially when you're an important part of the movement 'n all. And no offense, but I'd rather not have my throat cut just 'cause I know you Okita-han," He laughed, but Heiji was just a little nervous--could associating with Okita get him into trouble?

Meh, probably nothing he couldn't handle. Plus it didn't look like this place was crawling with Anti-Shinsengumi people or anything like that. He really needed a mystery novel. God did he need a mystery novel.

Heiji shook his head, "Nah, my nurse didn't say anything about that--jus' curious. I seriously doubt that my parents would visit me here. They'd be too ashamed. Nn... maybe my friends Kazuha or Kudo, but they probably wouldn't bother either." He shrugged, "Guess I'll just have to ask somebody."

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